Medical mistakes often happen
when military doctors and nurses get too busy, are understaffed
by hospital administrators,
are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, are not well
organized, are under poor hospital administration, have not been properly trained, are overworked, or are just not paying
attention. As Veterans Administration Hospital, Navy
Hospital, Army Hospital, and other Military Hospital medical budgets
decrease, healing
people becomes more difficult and is less of a priority than
saving money sometimes creating cost cutting
measures and poor hospital administration policies that cause
under supported military doctors, military nurses, and
military medical professionals to commit more medical mistakes. Overworked
military doctors, residents, and nurses are much more likely to make
mistakes than well rested health care professionals.

Designation of a Medical Advocate During a Hospital Stay and Effective Communication with Military Health Care Providers Can Help Prevent Some VA Medical Mistakes

Military Doctors, Army Doctors, Navy
Doctors, Air Force Doctors, and Veterans Administration
Hospitals
typically provide quality medical care, but sometimes
mistakes are made. It is always a good idea to have
someone that you trust look out after you when you are in
the hospital. This person can communicate important
information regarding your condition and watch out for you
when you are in the hospital. It is important to make
sure that you or your medical advocate communicate with
health care professionals to limit the
mistakes that are made.

Many mistakes happen when no one is watching. It is extremely important
when you are in the hospital to have someone that is with
you and to help watch out for your well being. This is
especially true if you have an allergy to certain types of
medicines, are going to be unconscious or under anesthesia,
or on strong pain killers. In such situations, it is
typically a good idea to have a person that you trust to be
your health care advocate with a valid HIPPA Authorization,
Medical Power of Attorney, and Power of Attorney. Communication with your health care
professionals and your health care advocate is also important and can greatly limit
medical mistakes.